Bangalore: Namma Metro to be Ugadi Gift ?

Bangalore, Dec 28 (DC): : It’s pretty clear by now that Namma Metro will not chug out for commercial operations in 2010. However, sources at BMRCL have said that they are targeting Udagi to start commercial operations, which as per the Saka calendar begins in the month of March-April and is celebrated as the beginning of a New Year for Namma Karnataka. There are just 4 days left for 2010 to come to an end and Metro has not yet started its full-fledged trial run. Commercial operations are likely to start after 3 months.

A source at BMRCL said: “It is likely that the commercial operations on Reach-1 will start from Ugadi as it is an auspicious day for the state. Also, there are a lot of technical issues and testing that has to be done before the commercial operations take place. Also, the stations are not ready; it will take at least 2 months more for all the civil work to be completed.”
BMRCL officials have said that their prime concern is to make sure that all the safety aspects are in place. “We have always maintained that the first train will run on the metro track in December 2010, we never committed anything on the date of commercial operation,” said Chief Public Relations Officer, BMRCL, B.L. Yasvanth Chavan.

“We can start commercial operations only after the entire system has been thoroughly tested. We have a huge number of tests to be conducted. This will take around 45 days if no system shows a problem. In case of a problem, we would need more time, depending on the nature of the problem. We cannot take any chances with safety. Even after the system clears all the tests and we start operations, there might be some teething problems,” added Chavan.

Commercial operations will have to wait till the BMRCL receives approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. The BMRCL would seek approval after obtaining the test results.

This approval would mean that not just the track and train operation but the entire metro system, including the station and passenger facilities, are ready to be thrown open to the public.

All said and done, Bengalurians should remain hopeful that they could get a pleasant gift in the form of Namma Metro this Ugadi.